Artful duo make a return in ‘Volver’

The third time proved charming for writer-director Pedro Almodovar and actress Penelope Cruz. After making two films together, the Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker and his muse collaborated on the magical “Volver” (Sony, $29).

Almodovar returned to his countryside hometown in La Mancha for this moving drama about a mother (Cruz) trying to keep her family -- teenager daughter and lazy-bones of a husband -- together. Cruz received Oscar, Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Extras include poorly conducted interviews with Cruz and Almodovar and affectionate commentary between the two in Spanish with English subtitles.

Don’t look for any insight into Robert De Niro’s directorial style on the DVD of “The Good Shepherd,” (Universal, $30). The “extras” are just a handful of deleted scenes.

“Charlotte’s Web” (Paramount, $30), based on the book by E.B. White about a remarkable pig named Wilbur, has a barnyard full of goodies, including deleted scenes, a lengthy “making of” documentary, a fun look at the animal trainers and their charges -- did you know one can train a sheep to shake paws just like a dog? -- a featurette on what happened to all the pigs that played Wilbur, a gag reel, two music videos and two commentary tracks -- one with director Gary Winick and the second with producer Jordan Kerner and visual effects supervisor Andrew Berton Jr.

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Also new this week

“Bedazzled” (Fox, $20): Witty 1967 take on Faust legend starring the innovative British comedy team of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Directed by Stanley Donen, the farce finds Moore as a short-order cook in love with a waitress (Eleanor Bron). Cook plays George Spiggott, a.k.a. Lucifer, who persuades the cook to surrender his soul in exchange for seven wishes that will win him the waitress’ heart. Extras include a brief interview on the set between Cook and Moore, appearances by the two on the “Paul Ryan Show” and an appreciation from Harold Ramis, who directed the remake.

“All That Jazz -- Music Edition” (Fox, $20): Bob Fosse’s Fellini-esque 1979 musical-drama-fantasy resurfaces in this new edition that offers a passionate portrait of Fosse, an interview with George Benson that reveals how he came to record “On Broadway,” a look at the musical numbers, a karaoke version of “Take Off With Us” and “Music Machine,” which allows access to the musical numbers.

“The Mario Bava Collection, Vol. 1” (Anchor Bay, $50): Five films from the Italian master of horror who influenced such filmmakers as Martin Scorsese, Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch and Tim Burton: “The Mask of Satan,” an edited version of which was released in the U.S. as “Black Sunday”; “Kill Baby Kill”; “Black Sabbath”; “The Girl Who Knew Too Much”; and “Knives of the Avenger.” None is for the squeamish. Extras include bios, trailers and commentaries.

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susan.king@latimes.com